Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has named his Ireland team to face France on Saturday in Paris.
In a similar move to Guy Noves, who made six changes to his France side, Schmidt welcomes three new players into the starting fifteen from last week's draw against Wales.
Rob Kearney returns at fullback after missing the Six Nations opener against Wales due to injury. Simon Zebo failed to make the bench.
Dave Kearney starts his first game of the 2016 Six Nations. He replaces Keith Earls on the wing with Andrew Trimble keeping his place on the other.
Joe: @SimonZebo & @KEITHEARLS87 trained but not 100% so it would be a risk to pick them.
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 11, 2016
Jared Payne and Rob Henshaw combine in the centre as the due start their seventh Six Nations game in a row. Johnny Sexton and Conor Murray also retain their half-back partnership.
In the forwards, the front five are unchanged. Rory Best captains the side and is joined by Jack McGrath and Nathan White in the front row. Devin Toner and Mike McCarthy form an all-Leinster partnership in the second row.
Sean O'Brien has recovered to return to the pack. The Carlow forward missed last week's game against Wales. O'Brien joins Jamie Heaslip and CJ Stander in the back row.
There are also changes on the bench. Richardt Strauss joins the squad and looks set to make his first Six Nations appearance, over three years after his debut. Eoin Reddan and Fergus McFadden also take their places on the bench for the first time this season.
Here's the Ireland team to play @FFRugby on Saturday #RBS6Nations #ShoulderToShoulder pic.twitter.com/BUM80aTZhR
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 11, 2016
Ireland team to face France:
(15-9): Rob Kearney, Andrew Trimble, Jared Payne, Rob Henshaw, Dave Kearney, Jonathan Sexton, Conor Murray.
(1-8): Jack McGrath, Rory Best (capt), Nathan White, Mike mcCarthy, Devin Toner, CJ Stander, Sean O'Brien, Jamie Heaslip.
Replacements (16-23): Richardt Strauss, James Cronin, Tadhg Furlong, Donnacha Ryan, Tommy O'Donnell, Eoin Reddan, Ian Madigan, Fergus McFadden.
Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
